The hospitality industry in Germany has started the current year slowly, with price adjusted turnover rising by 0.8% in January compared to December, the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden reported on Tuesday. When price increases are included, however, sales fell by 0.5%. The reason for the unusual development at the beginning of the year is likely to be a statistical effect caused by the return to the regular value added tax or VAT rate for food in bars and restaurants. Compared to January 2019, the same month before the coronavirus pandemic, there was a real decline of 13.3%. In real t…